The Brexit Party have topped the polls across the region
The Brexit Party has secured a clear victory in the European elections.
Nigel Farage's party dealt a significant blow to both the Conservatives and Labour, who have seen their support tumble across the country.
The Liberal Democrats' clear anti-Brexit stance helped deliver them an electoral boost amongst remain-supporting voters, coming second nationally and in the South West:
- South West: Brex: 36.7% (+36.7), LDem: 23.1% (+12.4), Grn: 18.1% (+7.0), Con: 8.7% (-20.2), Lab: 6.5% (-7.2), UKIP: 3.2% (-29.1), ChUK: 2.8% (+2.8)
The full results for each individual council area in Devon were as follows:
- East Devon: Brex: 41.4% (+41.4), LDem: 20.3% (+12.8), Grn: 18.0% (+5.9), Con: 9.0% (-24.3), Lab: 3.5% (-5.3), UKIP: 3.2% (-32.1)
- Exeter: Brex: 28.1% (+28.1), Grn: 27.2% (+12.2), LDem: 20.2% (+12.3), Lab: 12.3% (-15.2), Con: 5.9% (-15.8), UKIP: 2.7% (-22.5)
- Mid Devon: Brex: 41.5% (+41.5), LDem: 22.6% (+13.5), Grn: 20.5% (+7.6), Lab: 4.5% (-5.4), UKIP: 3.8% (-28.7), Con: 3.0% (-29.7)
- North Devon: Brex: 42.7% (+42.7), LDem: 23.3% (+8.6), Grn: 15.1% (+4.4), Con: 8.5% (-18.8), Lab: 3.9% (-3.8), UKIP: 3.7% (-32.7)
- Plymouth: Brex: 42.8% (+42.8) LDem: 14.1% (+9.7) Grn: 13.7% (+6.0) Lab: 12.3% (-10.9) Con: 8.6% (-14.9) UKIP: 4.7% (-32.3)
- Teignbridge: Brex: 41.6% (+41.6), LDem: 23.9% (+12.5), Grn: 17.0% (+5.1), Con: 7.2% (-23.1), Lab: 4.0% (-5.3), UKIP: 2.9% (-31.1)
- Torbay: Brex: 51.6% (+51.6), LDem: 18.7% (+8.0), Grn: 10.2% (+3.0), Con: 7.6% (-18.3), Lab: 4.5% (-4.9), UKIP: 3.9% (-39.3)
- Torridge: Brex: 48.7% (+48.7), LDem: 17.4% (+9.4), Grn: 14.5% (+3.3), Con: 7.3% (-21.4), Lab: 4.3% (-4.1), UKIP: 4.3% (-36.0)
- West Devon: Brex: 40.7% (+40.7), LDem: 19.9% (+11.2), Grn: 19.0% (+6.4), Con: 9.5% (-23.8), Lab: 3.7% (-4.7), UKIP: 3.1% (-31.0)
In reaction to the results, East Devon Conservative MP Hugo Swire has tweeted his support for former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab in the upcoming Tory leadership election.
A clear message that my constituents expect us to get on and deliver Brexit which basically means a new leader and a new direction and that man has to be @DominicRaab https://t.co/Qz4gGYmAqn
— Hugo Swire (@HugoSwire) May 27, 2019
Whilst Exeter's Labour MP Ben Bradshaw has taken to social media to express his disappointment at the region losing its only Labour MEP.
1/ So gutted to lose our only MEP in South West England @ClareMoodyMEP. Totally undeserved. She lost, like Labour candidates everywhere, to the Lib Dem/Green #PeoplesVote Remain surge.
— Ben Bradshaw (@BenPBradshaw) May 26, 2019
Caroline Voaden from Totnes is one of two new Liberal Democrat MEPs for the South West.
So proud of my party. First time in 101 years we have beaten both Conservatives and Labour in a national election. Second place and our best ever Euro election results. We will all go to Brussels as a strong group and will work tirelessly to stop Brexit!#StopBrexit #LibDems
— CarolineVoaden 🔶 #FBPE (@CarolineVoaden) May 27, 2019
And Molly Scott Cato retained her seat in the region for the Green Party.
*Massive increase for @TheGreenParty vote in South West from 11 to 18%.
— Molly Scott Cato MEP (@MollyMEP) May 26, 2019
*Third, beating Labour & Tory vote combined.
Brexit Party have no momentum.
So looking forward to # #StopBrexit & serving the SW for the full 5 years. #GreenWave#EUelections2019 pic.twitter.com/m2Lv5008HK